The Olympic Torch Relay (OTR) is coming to Steinbach in just over two weeks and Steinbach’s OTR Task Force is ready to see their hard work unfold in one incredible Celebration!
On January 5, 2010, the Olympic Torch will stop at the Clearspring Centre parking lot for Steinbach’s OTR Celebration, after which numerous Torchbearers will be running on a predetermined route through Steinbach’s streets.
The Celebration will take place from 10:00 am till about 12:30 pm, with the Torch arriving at the Celebration site at 11:30 am.
Steinbach’s OTR Celebration will feature many unique interactive entertainment stations and a myriad of talented performers, several of them local. Performers who will welcome the Torch and celebrate our community will be the following:
• Aboriginal Hoop Dancer, Buffy Handel;
• Local Playwright, Anne Funk, has written a Mennonite Heritage Play;
• Manitoba’s Fiddle Champion, Michael Audette;
• Local Colombian Dance Group;
• XCompany Martial Arts and Dance Troupe;
• And other entertainment selected by Olympic Sponsors, RBC and Coca-Cola and the Vancouver Olympic Committee.
In addition to these performances, Steinbach’s own Olympian Michelle Sawatzky will sing the National Anthem, Mayor Chris Goertzen will welcome the Torch on behalf of the community, and several Olympic videos will be shown, including messages from some local Olympians and athletes.
Special Olympian, Lennie Plett of Blumenort has been selected to be the Community Torchbearer. On January 5, Lennie will run the final 300 metres to the stage where he will light the 1.3-metre high celebration cauldron in a move similar to the dramatic highlight of what will occur during the Opening Ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. A winter-sports competitor, Lennie has competed and been awarded many medals in both cross country skiing and track events. More importantly, Lennie knows what it means to have the heart of an Olympian and has a heart for our community and its sport teams.
Other unique attractions at the Celebrations include:
• RBC’s walk-through mobile home that showcases sustainable living practices and ways to protect the environment
• Opportunities to have your photo taken with the Torch
• A snowboarding simulator people can try
• Coca-Cola’s interactive sound station
• Olympic medal displays
• Olympic commemorative giveaways and product samples
• RBC’s mascot, Leo the Lion
• Sports stations
• A multicultural flag display
• And free hot chocolate, courtesy of McDonalds
After several calls and inquiries from a few different schools and school divisions, it is expected that over 1000 students will be bussed down to Clearspring Centre to take in this once-in-a-lifetime Olympic celebration.
Guaranteed, this will be one of the biggest celebrations that have ever come to Steinbach!
Ensure that you dress for the winter weather and come out to be part of this incredible event!
Those who cannot make it out to the Celebration site on January 5th still have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the 2010 Olympic Torch as it runs through Steinbach. Check out the Torch Route Map for Steinbach to find out where the Torch will pass closest to you.
Motorists, please be advised that there will be traffic delays along the Torch route on January 5th between 12:15 and 1:30pm. Honk your horn, get out of your vehicle and cheer on the Olympic Torch as it passes. If you need to get somewhere quickly that day between 12 and 1:30pm, you may want to plan an alternate route. We appreciate your enthusiasm and patience as the Torch makes it way through Steinbach.
